Outboard motor tilting device



March 8, 1960 2,927,552

J. R. MICKEY OUTBOARD MOTOR TILTING DEVICE Filed April 3, 1957 3Sheets-Sheet 1 IIIIIIIIIIII7iI7;I ;III

LVVENTOR. K WAZGa /JM ATTD RN EYS March 8, 1960 J. R. MICKEY 2,927,552

OUTBOARD MOTOR TILTING DEVICE Filed April 3, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTDR N EYS March 8, 1960 J. R. MICKEY 2,927,552

OUTBOARD MOTOR TILTING DEVICE Filed April 3, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN TOR.

Jail 2 Alli/re ATTU RNEYB United States This invention relates to anoutboard motor, and more particularly to a tilting device for anoutboard motor.

The object of the invention is to provide a means whereby an outboardmotor can be readily tilted so that it will assume difierent angularpositions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means whereby anoutboard engine can be tilted to different angular positions, andwherein the means is hydraulically controlled so that it is notnecessary to manually tilt the outboard engine to the desired position.

A further object of the invention is to provide an outboard tiltingmechanism which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of thefollowing description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and inwhich like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout thesame.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a portion of a boatwith an outboard motor thereon, and

showing the tilting mechanism of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the detailedconstruction of the cylinder which is mounted on the transom of theboat.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevational view showing a modification.

Figure 5 is a plan view showing the modification of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the set screw andspring for use with the modification of Figures 4, 5 and 6.

Figure 8 is a view illustrating certain constructional details of theassembly of Figures 4 through 7.

Referring in detail to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures 1,2 and 3 of the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a portion of a boatwhich has an outboard engine 12 mounted on the transom 11 thereof. Theoutboard engine 12 includes the usual blades or propellers 13 as well asthe drive shaft housing 14 which has the upstanding column 15 connectedthereto or formed integral therewith.

The present invention is directed to a means for tilting the engine 12so that for example, the engine 12 can be moved from the solid lineposition in Figure 1 to the broken line position of Figure 1. Thetilting mechanism of the present invention includes a first cylinder 17which extends through an opening 16 in the transom 11, and

the cylinder 17 is threaded externally as at 18.

2,927,552 Patented Mar. 8, 1960 bolt and nut assemblies 24. A coilspring 25 is circumposed on the rod 20, and the coil spring 25 isinterposed between the piston 21 and closure 19.

Mounted on the other end of the cylinder 17 is a closure 26, and a coilspring 27 is interposed between the closure 26 and a sealing member 28,the sealing member 28 abutting the piston 21. 'A conduit 29 leads fromthe closure 26 to a master cylinder 30 which is adapted to be actuatedby a foot pedal 31, and the master cylinder 30 is secured in place bysuitable securing elements 32, the master cylinder 30 being positionedin a convenient part of the boat 10.

The closure 26 is provided with a port or passageway 33 which can serveas a drain port, and a plug 34 is provided for sealing the port 33.

The outboard engine 12 is pivotally supported by means of a conventionalbracket assembly 35, and the usual handle 36 extends from the engine 12and is connected thereto.

As previously stated, the cylinder 17 extends through an opening 16 inthe transom 11, and for maintaining the cylinder 17 in its properposition, there is provided a pair of spaced apart mounting collars 37and 38 which are arranged in threaded engagement with the threadedportion 18 of the cylinder 17.

Referring to Figures 4 through 7 of the drawings, there is shown amodified outboard engine tilting mechanism which includes a supportmember 39 that is adapted to be secured to the column portion 15 of thedrive shaft housing 14 in any suitable manner, as for example bywelding. A body member 40 is connected to the support member 39 as bymeans of securing elements 41, and the body member 40 receives an arm48. The body member 40 is free to rotate about the arm 48, and thisrotation is due to the provision of a groove 42 which is arranged in thearm 48, there being a set screw 43 extending through the body member 40and into engage ment with the groove 42, as shown in Figure 4. Whenusing an outboard motor with an electric starter, the electric startermotor can be used to power an actuating pump.

Extending from an end of the body member 40 and secured thereto as bywelding, is an car 44 which is spaced from an car 45, and the ear 45 issecured to a tube 46, there being a hydraulic cylinder 47 supported inthe tube 46. As shown in Figure 7, a coil spring 49 connects the cars 44and 45 together, and a securing element or set screw 50 extends throughan opening 51 in the car 45 and engages the ear 44, whereby the partsare maintained in their proper spaced apart relationship.

One end of the cylinder 47 is adapted to be connected to a suitablesource of hydraulic fluid under pressure which may be the mastercylinder 30 or any other suitable actuating member, and for conveyinghydraulic fluid to the cylinder 47, a conduit 52 is provided. Extendingfrom the other end of the cylinder 47 is a movable piston rod 53 whichengages a shoulder 54 on a pressure plate 55, the pressure plate 55abutting the transom 11 of the boat.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a meansfor tilting an outboard engine so that this tilting does not have to bedone manually. When using the assembly shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, itwill be seen that by applying foot pressure to the pedal 31, thathydraulic pressure will be built up in the master cylinder 30 wherebythe hydraulic fluid will pass through the conduit 29 and into thecylinder 17 so as to move the piston or plunger 21. As the piston 21moves, the rod 20 will be moved outwardly and since the rod 20 has itsend arranged in engagement with the recess 22 and the base 23, it willbe seen that this outward movement of the rod 20 will cause pivotalmovement of the outboard engine 12 so that for example the outboardengine 12 can be moved from the solid line position shown in Figure l tothe broken line position of Figure 1. Thus,

the tilting of the engine can be easily accomplished hy*-.

draulically whereby it is not necessary to manually move the heavyengine. The base 23 is secured to the engine in any suitable manner suchas the bolt or nut assemblies 24. The springs such as the springs 25 and27 serve to center the piston 21!. and sealing member 28 when pressureis released, and these springs also act as shock absorbers. The cylinder17 is adapted to be extended through a suitable opening 16 in thetransom 11, and this cylinder 17 is maintained in place by means of themounting collars 37 and 38. The master cylinder 30 may be secured in aconvenient location in the boat 10 through the medium of bolts or screws32;.

Referring to Figures 4 through 7 of the drawings, there is shown amodified mechanism for tilting the outboard engine which is adapted tobe used in lieu of the mechanism shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. Thus, inFigures 4, and 6, the cylinder 47 is adapted to be connected to asuitable source of hydraulic fluid under pressure by means of theconduit 52, the conduit 52 leading to any suitable actuating member suchas the hydraulic cylinder 30. Thus, when pressure is increased on thehydraulic fluid, the pressure will flow through the conduit 52 into thecylinder 47 whereby the piston which is arranged in the cylinder 47 willcause the cylinder 47 to move relative to the rod 53. Since the rod 53is connected to the shoulder 54 on the pressure plate 55, and since thepressure plate 55 abuts the transom 11, it will be seen that ashydraulic fluid is introduced under pressure through the conduit 52 intothe cylinder 47, the cylinder 47 will move away from the transom 11. Asthe hydraulic cylinder 47 moves, it causes corresponding movement of thecars 45 and 44 and since the car 44 is connected to the body member 40,it will be seen that the body member 40 will move and since the bodymember 40 is connected to the column 15 of the outboard engine, therewill result a corresponding movement of the outboard engine. Aspreviously described, the set screw 43 extends through the body member40 and engages the groove 42 in the arm 48 whereby a pivotal connectionis provided between the body member 40 and arm 48. Thus, the pivotalarrangement permits the part such as the body member 40 to move in theproper direction as the outboard engine is tilted. A drain cock or plug34 may be provided for the cylinder 47 as shown in Figure 6. Byadjusting the set screw 50, to diiferent positions, it will be seen thatthe space between the ears 4d and 45 can be varied as desired, and aspreviously described the ears 40 and 45 are interconnected by means ofthe coil spring 49.

The tilting mechanism of the present invention is especially suitablefor use in tilting outboard engines during beacring operation,replacement of shear pins, or when passing through shallow orobstructive water at slow speed or at any time when it is desirable tohave the propeller out of the water. While the device has beenillustrated to operate hydraulically, it is to be understood that othertypes of mechanism can be used to actuate the device such as electricalor mechanical actuator. The cylinders can be fastened or positioned indifferent parts of the transom or boat or can be connected to theoutboard engine. The parts can be made of any suitable material and indilierent shapes or sizes. Also, the hydraulic cylinder can be placed oneither side of the outboard engine and as shown in Figures 4 through 7,the piston rod of the cylinder can push against the transom 11. Themaster cylinder and the other hydraulic cylinder are adapted to beconnected together by means of a flexible hose, such as the hose 29 or52. The device of the present invention is especially suitable fortilting the engine and the device can be used by elderly or ailingpersons who cannot or do not wish to exert themselves by tilting themotor by hand. When motors are tilted by hand, it is necessary to have acertain amount of friction on the tilting adjustment screw in order tohold the motor at any given position and this increases the efiortneeded to tilt the motor, but by using the mechanism of the presentinvention, this friction can be done away with or considerably reduced.The angle adjustment is built into the motor mounting bracket. Also, themotor-can be raised or lowered from the drivers position while the boatand motor are moving slowly or in a stopped condition. Furthermore, asmall electrically driven pump may be substituted for the mastercylinder so as to furnish the power for actuating the cylinder 17. Theelectric motor that drives the pump would be separate and distinct fromthe one which is used to start the outboard motor itself. Also, anoutboard starter motor can be used to furnish power for a pump. Themaster cylinder 30 is actually a small pump and can be either foot orhand operated, but in its place, a motor driven pump can be substituted.The set screw 43 serves to hold the body member 40 and arm 48 connectedtogether and also permits relative rotation between these parts. Thetube 46 is threaded internally for receiving the cylinder 47. In thearrangement shown in Figures 4 through 7, it is not necessary to drill ahole in the transom as is the case with the previously described hole.Furthermore, in Figures 4 through 7, the cylinder can move up or down asthe motor tilts and lowers. The arm 48 can rotate the body member 40,and the set screw 43 prevents disengagement of the arm 48 from the bodymember 40. The cylinder 47 may have the same construction as thepreviously described cylinder 17. Furthermore, the position of thecylinder 47 and pressure plate 55 can be reversed by installing thiscylinder in a stationary position on the rear of the transom andinstalling the pressure plate on the arm 48. The present invention isconstructed so that there will be no interference with the steering ortilting of the engine or motor during the normal operation thereof. Thespring 25 can serve to return the parts to their normal position whenthe hydraulic pressure is released. The elongated slot 22 in the base 23provides suflicient clearance for the end of the rod 20. The weight orthe motor is usually sufiicient to return the parts to their loweredposition when hydraulic pressure is released. The master cylinder 30 maybe of conventional construction internally. The valve 34 can be used asan air bleeder valve, and the spring 27 assists in forcing the plungerrod back. The collars 37 and 38 serve as mounting and adjusting collars.

The above description of the invention is for illustrative purposes onlyand it is understood that modifications may be made in the constructionwithin the scope and spirit of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In an outboard motor tilting mechanism, a base provided with arecess, a first cylinder, a first closure mounted on an end of saidcylinder, a piston slidably mounted on said cylinder, a rod projectingthrough said closure and having one end connected to said piston and itsother end engaging said recess, a coil spring circumposed on said rodand interposed between said piston and closure, spaced apart mountingcollars arranged in threaded engagement with the exterior of saidcylinder, a sealing member arranged contiguous to said piston andpositioned in said cylinder, a second closure mounted on the other endof said cylinder, a coil spring interposed between said sealing memberand second closure, a master cylinder spaced from said first cylindeconduit extending from said second closure to said master cylinder, anda foot pedal for actuating said master cylinder.

2. In an outboard tilting mechanism, a base provided with a recess, afirst cylinder, at first closure mounted on an end of said cylinder, 2.piston slidably mounted in said cylinder, a rod projecting through saidclosure and having one end connected to said piston and its other endengaging said recess, a coil spring circumposcd on said rod andinterposed between said piston and closure, spaced apart mountingcollars arranged in threaded engagement with the exterior of saidcylinder, a sealing member arranged contiguous to said piston andpositioned in said cylinder, a second closure mounted on the other endof said cylinder, a coil spring interposed between said sealing memberand second closure, a master cylinder spaced from said first cylinder, aconduit extending from said second closure to said master cylinder, 21foot pedal for actuating said master cylinder, and an air bleeder valveconnected to said first cylinder.

3. In an outboard motor tilting mechanism, a support member, a bodymember extending from said support member and secured thereto, an armprojecting into said body member and provided with a groove, a securingelement extending through said body member and into engagement with saidgroove, an internally threaded tube having a first ear extendingtherefrom and secured thereto, a second ear extending from said bodymember, a coil spring connecting said ears together, a set screwextending through said first ear and engaging said second car, a

, cylinder supported in said tube, a conduit for connecting one end ofsaid cylinder to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, a pistonrod extending from the other end: of said cylinder, and a pressure plateconnected to said piston rod.

4. In an outboard motor tilting mechanism, a base provided with arecess, a first cylinder, a piston slidably mounted in said cylinder, arod projecting into said first cylinder and having one end connected tosaid piston and its other end engaging said recess, a coil springcircumposed on said rod for biasing said piston inwardly 1 References(Jited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Heath Mar. 13,1956 Staley Feb. 26, 1957 OTHER REFERENCES Germany, M 24,985 X 1-65 F,Mar. 15, 1956.

